How Purging the Garage Led to Writing a Book: Author Camilla Downs

Call it intuition. Call it my gut. Whatever it’s called, there is something inside of me compelling me to write. Sometimes gently, other times strongly, it nudges me saying, “You’ve just got to share that.” I fought this feeling for a long time, thinking I had nothing meaningful to contribute. At this point in my life, I know that the treasure lying within me, the one I am to share with humanity, is my view of everyday life. I most often share this through writing.

Sometimes I question myself with thoughts of, “What are you doing? Why are you wasting time on this? Who cares what you think? Who cares what happened with you today?” These thoughts can be very discouraging and cause me to doubt myself. However, time and time again, I magically and miraculously receive confirmation that what I’m doing and the path I have chosen is inspiring and helpful to others. These powerful, undeniable moments cause my fears and hesitation to disappear.

“Your intuition knows what to write, so get out of the way.” – Ray Bradbury

My writing journey started with blogging. It was in 2007 when I first discovered blogs, and I instinctively knew I needed to learn as much as possible about it. I devoured tons of information and dove right in. As a writer, I firmly believe that the lens through which we view life is the only determining factor of whether or not we live a joyful, peaceful, loving life, and when we authentically share ourselves through our lens, we inspire others.

In May 2008, I began writing on a blog titled “Pink Elephant Books”, which I created for my daughter, Lillian, and myself. In 2010, I shifted to using my own domain name. Lillian, who is now 14, blogs on her own website and Thomas, my 10-year-old son, writes on his own website, as well.

I have learned and am teaching my children that authentically sharing the gift and treasure of our true self-creates a ripple effect of goodness, kindness, and love, which reaches farther than we could ever imagine. I feel that we inspire others by authentically sharing of ourselves, whether we are writers, artists, teachers, nurses, therapists, plumbers, or janitors. When you share like only you can, in that way that is unique to you, it inspires others. I call this “sowing the seeds of love” and it’s the motivation behind all I do.

How The First Book Happened – D iz for Different

Ever have a hunch? A gut feeling? Something telling you to do something right this very minute? The summer of 2011, I had an urge to purge boxes in my garage, which had been packed since my divorce in 2007. I had an intense desire to simplify and declutter, which I attempted to resist for some time. I finally relented, and in one of the first few boxes, I came across a book I had forgotten about and had never read. The book is titled “E is for Entrepreneur” and the author is Barbara Hranivolich. Upon opening it, I was greeted with a message from Barb. She wrote, “This would never have happened without you.”

I had completely forgotten that in 2007 I connected with Barb online and asked her if she would like to be a contributor on a blog I had at the time for women entrepreneurs. She began an alphabet series to tie in with being an entrepreneur. I read the book that night and discovered that Barb mentioned me in the C is for Collaboration chapter of the book also. She wrote, “There’s the woman I’ve never met in person, but who asked me to write these essays for her blog. What a gift!” Lastly, Barb included my name on her Gratitude List in the book. WOW!! What a powerful gift for me to receive! I read Barb’s book that night from cover to cover.

The year prior to this purging of my garage, I had intended to write a book but that intention never materialized. Mere seconds after finishing the book, I received another internal nudge that this was how my first book was to be structured; with each letter of the alphabet being a chapter of the book. A is for Acceptance, B is for Better, C is for Courage, etc.

I began writing the next day. Getting up earlier than normal, I wrote a section every morning, delivering a first draft of “D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance” to my editor and a few “reviewer” friends just over 2 months from the time I began purging the garage.

“D iz for Different” is a memoir of my journey up to the time of writing the book – the journey toward acceptance of myself, being a single parent, and being a parent to a child with special needs.

Listening to my intuition and experiencing the results is an indescribable feeling. My hope is for each and every one of you to experience the rewards of responding to your inner voice and the nudges that compel you to share yourself with the world. At times, it will not be apparent that you are being an inspiration. Other times you will know because people will respond to your words with their own precious stories. Additionally, you won’t always know why you are moved to share something, but I encourage you to simply trust that there is a purpose. You may never know what comes of sharing your stories with the world, but know that by “sowing the seeds of love” you are making a difference.

-By Author Camilla Downs

To get a copy of Camilla Downs’s book “D iz for Different: One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance”, just click on the image of her book below and it will take you there!

Camilla Downs

About The Author : I am a single mom to two children: 13 year old Lillian and 10 year old Thomas. Lillian has a genetic abnormality called 18p- (missing the short arm of chromosome #18). I have studied self-help, spirituality, mindfulness, self-actualization and emotional connection for the past 18 years. It was through the tumultuous journey of becoming a single mom to two kids with their own unique differences, experiencing financial ruin, and confronting darkness that I became a best-selling author, writer, and mindfulness coach. I feel divinely guided to share my experiences, growth, and learning openly with others. You can find me at CamillaDowns.com and www.facebook.com/CamillaDowns

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2 Comments

Camilla, what an honor to have had you be a guest blogger on our site! Everyone on our team has been talking about how inspirational your post is! We hope you come back and post again. Your story gives other authors hope and encouragement to share their story.